Gronkowski's absence will undoubtedly lead to some adjustments in the Patriots' offense and an increased emphasis on fellow tight end Aaron Hernandez. New England plays the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.

The fractured arm suffered by Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski on Sunday was not identical to the original fracture he suffered November 18, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Since the injury, speculation has been that Gronkowski was rushed back and that his injured left arm wasn't ready for contact. The source says the current injury 'had nothing to do with whether the arm was ready or not.'

Instead, Gronkowski's arm broke at the end of the protective plate that was implanted in his arm. Gronkowski sustained the new injury when he went hard to the ground while diving for a pass against the Houston Texans in the first quarter of the Patriots AFC Divisional Playoff game.

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UPDATE: Monday, Jan. 14 at 11:51 a.m. ET

Rob Gronkowski is undergoing surgery today for his broken forearm, according to Boston Herald's Jeff Howe.

Tight end Rob Gronkowski is undergoing season-ending surgery on his broken left forearm today, according to a source. This is similar to the timing of the last procedure, which also occurred the day after the injury.

Gronkowski led the team in touchdown receptions during the regular season despite missing time due to injury, and he provides a massive boost to the New England offense when he is in the game.

---End of Update---

Mike Reiss of ESPN reported that not only has an injury sent Gronk to the sideline in the first quarter of New England’s divisional round showdown against the Houston Texans, but he also needed to go to the locker room for further evaluation:

While the Patriots went 4-1 in Gronkowski’s absence in the regular season, they’ll miss him if he’s out for a lengthened period of time once again.

In just his first game back from injury, the touchdown machine lived up to his reputation, scoring against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. And the one team that New England failed to defeat without Gronkowski, the San Francisco 49ers, is also still alive in the postseason.

Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, who reeled in 10 balls for 92 receiving yards and a touchdown against the 49ers, must shoulder more of the workload in the passing attack in the event Gronk misses more time. In the final two weeks of the regular season, Hernandez only caught six passes for 57 yards. He did record three receptions for 25 yards in the first quarter against the Texans, however, so he at least looks primed to rise to the occasion.

In reality, New England managed to lead the NFL in points per game this season without Gronkowski much of the way, so if the all-world tight end's season is over, it wouldn't be detrimental to its Super Bowl aspirations.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.